Walking the Floor

Well, here it is, at last. The new floor I've been putting down on my vacation. What do you think? I have to say we've had several service people in and when they see it the all say it is beautiful. I, of course, think the same thing but I am predjudiced, I guess.
Here you can see Sarah is really impressed!
The following shots are similar to the previous floor post but now the floor covering is down.

This is a simple peal and stick tile. Previously, I've put down a roll of vinal floor covering in two bathrooms with glue but not this. I can't say it is easier folks. This is a bit labor intensive.

Every tile had to be positioned and we actually had to reposition two because we got off the required "pryamid" method. You don't lay this in a straight line from the corner. You start from the center point and work outward in pyramids. Believe me, if you deviate, it messes things up.

I figure if the adhesive comes loose we can always use a different adhesive. I've told Becca to just use a slightly damp mop to clean it and avoid a having liquids in her bedroom.

We also painted the ceiling in the kitchen and living room and the walls in the living room had to be touched up.

Sarah apparently likes the apartment but I hope they aren't going to be too cramped. It is a small one bedroom with a full basement.

I've posted some new photos of Sarah in the albums for those interested. We took her to the mall to the play area where a little boy seemed to just fall in love with her. He played big brother the whole time we were there. They were so cute together. He had a 9 month old baby sister of his own but she has Down Syndrome. He was just wonderful with Sarah so I know he will be a wonderful big brother.

Monday is back to work day and frankly, every vacation I have to go back to work to get any rest. This will be no different! I kept Sarah overnight on Thursday night and she was so sweet. Had one bout of crying at bedtime for her Mama but she crawled onto my chest and lay down and cried about twice and was then sound asleep. Becca says she does that every night. She fights her sleep and wants her mother when it is bed time. But over all she was an angel both days. They said last night she went right to bed in the new place and never fussed.

Hump Day - All Down Hill

Finally, the floor is DONE! I am soooo tired, you have no idea. I am going to try and get photos tomorrow to post. It is beautiful, folks! Really. I am ready now to do it in my house.

My poor hands are so sore and I cut my thumb. I think it is slightly infected because it hurts like the dickens. I've doctored it and perhaps by morning it will be better. I am going to take tomorrow off. Ha, ha! No work on anyone's house but mine. And I'd like to site somewhere nice and relax.

I hope everyone else is havin a great week. I think Jilly may not be since the rains have set in in England. . . again! But she is about to be grandma again so perhaps she won't notice so much. Congratulations, Jilly and hope all goes well with your daughter and the little one.

Nearly There

Needless to say, I didn't nothing to day except go to church and take a loooooog nap. I will be going back to church soon for the evening service in about an hour but wanted to upload some new photos of Sarah for everyone to see. She is such a pixie and I have to share.

Also, here are some photos of the work on the floor nearing completion. Of course, we forgot to take before photos but you can see what I've been doing for the last week. Tomorrow, I hope to finish it for good.

Here you can see the built in chest and shelves where we had to piece the plywood for the small areas. If you squint at the left side of the photo, you may be able to see where the air vent is set into the wood.

There will be a window seat on top of the chest that is padded. I see Sarah up there on rainy days.
The lines are where we sealed the seams. That is what we have to sand tomorrow. I am hoping my daughter-in-law will do this. It is terrible on my knees. If not, I will have to get a pad to kneel on.

You can see from looking at the wood grain why we hated to cover up the plywood. It is really some lovely wood. I am not sure but I think you could build cabinets out of this stuff!
This is taken from inside that built-closet and toward the hallway. You can see where the plywood sheet ended and we had to cut another strip to fill in to the wall.
Finally, the final corner. You can see my little helper here surveying the work. Size is difficult to gage in photos. That is a 4x8 sheet of plywood. The room took three and a half sheets total.

Vacations and Building Projects

Vacation has begun! I am so glad! Friday afternoon was a breeze because I knew I was going to be off for 10 days! The director allowed the agency to close at 4 p.m. so that was an added bonus. I am waiting for my ride to go over and finish the apartment. We have one or two things left to do and then we are finito!

As I have worked on this floor I am feeling better now about my impending kitchen remodel. I have to replace the whole floor and I want new cabinets. Now that I know what I am doing, the counter tops are going to be the biggest expense I fear. Anyone with ideas on quick, easy and lovely countertops, feel free to advise!

I am really sore in my hands and back but it is just one of those things, I think that happens from exertion rather than the unending mess I deal with regularly. Actually, that has been better as the weather has cleared somewhat. The neck and shoulder are still a problem and Thursday my calves, particularly that left one, was bad.

Oddly, I've learned the difference in the fibro pain and other kinds. I wonder if the pain from overworked muscles is not connected to the same part of the brain as frbro pain. Over work does make the pain worse but this week, the pain has been different because the fibro pain appears to have eased up. So recovery seems faster and the pain less severe! Crazy.

I'm leaving for now. Back soon and hopefully, I'll have some photos of the work near completion. Should have taken some before and after but we forgot. The litter box discovery was shocking and all we wanted to do was get rid of it and get the thing fixed. Toodles!

Floored

I spent my evening flooring the bedroom of my sister's rental unit. As I mentioned in a previous post, the previous tenant ruined the carpet by allowing her animals to urinate on it... repeatedly. the floor underneath was hardwood but in terrible condition and stained by the animals. We ripped the carpet out last weekend and tonight and tomorrow night we are installing a underlayment in preparation for a new floor covering. It will probably be a vinal of some sort if she can afford it. Right now we just need to get a floor down so the new tenants can move in!

And no, I don't get paid for this. Tomorrow I will probably pay the piper. Hauling around 4x8 ft. sheets of half inch luane plywood is not an easy task. I am a perfectionist so ever piece is fitted in carefully. We even cut out the hole for the air conditioning vent. It was a perfect fit with no excess space. After the floor is done, we have to seal the cracks with wood filler to give a smooth surface so the floor covering won't crack in those areas. I've done this twice before on bathroom floors but this is the largest floor project I've had to this point. I must say, I am quite pleased with the results but I am not anxious to do it again, thank you very much.

So, I am going to bed now and hope I am able to crawl out tomorrow. Vacation is two days away! I have to have this done by Saturday. I have NO intention of spending my vacation doing work for someone else.

Night yall.

Who Am I, Really?

Your Career Personality: Brainy, Logical, and Efficient

Your Ideal Careers: Archeologist Astronomer Book editor Business manager Civil engineer Designer Economist Inventor Judge Scientist

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

You Are From Pluto

You are a dark, mysterious soul, full of magic and the secrets of the universe. You can get the scoop on anything, but you keep your own secrets locked in your heart. You love change and you use it to your advantage, whether by choice or chance. You don't like to compromise, to the point of being self-destructive with your stubborness. Live life with love, and your deep powers will open the world to you.

What Planet Are You From?

You Don't Need Extra Attention

You're perfectly happy with who you are, and you don't need attention to feel good about yourself. You prefer to let your actions and accomplishments speak for themselves. Working hard to get people to like you is your idea of a nightmare. You've got a lot going on, and anyone with half a brain will notice that on their own! You come across as: Confident and serious People may wrongly think you're: Stuck up and shy

Are You An Attention Whore?

You Are 77% Creative

You are beyond creative. You are a true artist - even if it's not in the conventional sense of the word. You love creating for its own sake, and you find yourself quite inspired at times.

How Creative Are You?

You Are Fairly Normal

You scored 50% normal on this quiz Like most people you are normal in some ways... But you aren't a completely normal person. You're a little weird too! Why You Are Normal: You'd rather have rats than cockroaches in your home You prefer fiction to non fiction You think glasses can make someone more attractive You rather be screwed over than screw someone else over If you had to, you rather live without music and still have laughter Why You Aren't Normal: You prefer your family to your friends You prefer the moon to the sun You prefer a good nap to a good meal You would rather be a movie star than an astronaut You would rather be tan than pale

What's Normal About You... And What's Not?

You Have Your PhD in Men

You understand men almost better than anyone. You accept that guys are very different, and you read signals well. Work what you know about men, and your relationships will be blissful.

How Well Do You Understand Men?

To Die for...

The day is georgeous- sunny, breeze, and comfortable, although the desktop says it is 80 degrees. It doesn't feel like 80. I really need to be cutting my yard but I've been trying to help Becca clean the new apartment to get it ready to move in by the 30th.

It is my sister's property and her tenant abandoned the unit a couple of months ago. Dave and Becca want to rent it now, although it is a one bedroom and small. Sarah won't sleep in her own bed anyway so it doesn't matter much. It will save them money for a year, if they are careful and save. Right.

We ripped the carpet up in the bedroom. The previous tenant had a cat and a dog and I swear she kept them locked in there when she went to work. It smelled of cat and when we pulled up the carpet, the smell of urine was horrible. The woman was a pig..My sister will have to put new flooring down. The hardwood floor below would require too much work at the moment. She can't afford it. So, we'll have to clean it and find some tile to put on it until later. Anyone have a fast, easy way to clean a floor that has glue and dirt on it? It is a shame because structurally, the floor is good. Refinished it would be a hardwood beauty.

I am not getting things done, you know. I just have no motivation and I think it is because someone always needs something and I'm the sap who says, "I'll help."

I am off the last week of the month and I am hoping I can do NOTHING! Yes, nothing but what I want to do. We will see. Dave and Becca will be moving that week and I will probably have Sarah a lot but that is a small thing. What I really need is to go somewhere. Of course one needs transportation for that and I have none.

I am going now. The sun is calling.

A Rose By Any Other Name

I find these things rather interesting and usually not even close to the mark. This one, however, is weirdly accurate. My friend, Sheila, posted her's on her blog and I found it so interesting I tried my own name.

What you read here is actually true about me, even the negative parts!
Here is the result. I have deliberately not posted my name. The site address is at the bottom of the page.

My Name Means:

There are 16 letters in your name.
Those 16 letters total to 83
There are 5 vowels and 11 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

Greek

Female

Of Cynthus (Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos). Famous bearer: Cynthia was one of the names of the mythological moon goddess Artemis, referring to her birth on Mount Cynthus.

Your number is: 11

The characteristics of #11 are: High spiritual plane, intuitive, illumination, idealist, a dreamer.

The expression or destiny for #11:
Your Expression number is 11. The number 11 is the first of the master numbers. It is associated with idealistic concepts and rather spiritual issues. Accordingly, it is a number with potentials that are somewhat more difficult to live up to. You have the capacity to be inspirational, and the ability to lead merely by your own example. An inborn inner strength and awareness can make you an excellent teacher, social worker, philosopher, or advisor. No matter what area of work you pursue, you are very aware and sensitive to the highest sense of your environment. Your intuition is very strong; in fact, many psychic people and those involved in occult studies have the number 11 expression. You possess a good mind with keen analytical ability. Because of this you can probably succeed in most lines of work, however, you will do better and be happier outside of the business world. Oddly enough, even here you generally succeed, owing to your often original and unusual approach. Nonetheless, you are more content working with your ideals, rather than dollars and cents.

The positive aspect of the number 11 expression is an always idealistic attitude. Your thinking is long term, and you are able to grasp the far-reaching effects of actions and plans. You are disappointed by the shortsighted views of many of your contemporaries. You are deeply concerned and supportive of art, music, or of beauty in any form.

The negative attitudes associated with the number 11 expression include a continuous sense of nervous tension; you may be too sensitive and temperamental. You tend to dream a lot and may be more of a dreamer than a doer. Fantasy and reality sometimes become intermingled and you are sometimes very impractical. You tend to want to spread the illumination of your knowledge to others irrespective of their desire or need.

Your Soul Urge number is: 7

A Soul Urge number of 7 means:
With a number 7 Soul Urge you are very fond of reading, and retreating to periods of being alone and away from the disruptions of the outer world. You like to dream and develop you idealistic understandings, to study and analyze, to gain knowledge and wisdom. You may be too laid back and withdrawn to really succeed in the business world, and you will be much more comfortable in circumstances that are tolerant of your reserve, your analytical approach, and your desire to use your mind rather than your physical being.

You are very timid around people that you don't know very well, so much so at times that casual conversation and social situations can be strained. You tend to repress your emotions to the extend that some people have a good bit of difficult understanding you. You tend to be very selective with friends and you don't easily adapt to new environments or to new people very quickly.

The negative traits of the 7 include becoming too much the introvert and isolated from others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 4

An Inner Dream number of 4 means:
You dream of being a very solid citizen that people can depend upon. You strive for organization and predictable order. You want to be recognized as a person with a plan and the discipline to make that plan work like clockwork.

Copyright © 2006 Paul R. Sadowski (http://www.paulsadowski.com)

Adios

I found the following article interesting. Fewer Latino Immigrants Send Money Home. Could it be that pulling in the welcome mat, tougher stance on immigration enforcement, and loud Citizen voices are making an impact? I certainly hope so.

What I suspect, however, is that the problems with our economy IS only just beginning and the illegals, like the citizens are feeling the impact. I didn't mention it before because I had to think about it, but if, in fact, Congress decided to legalize the several million illegals you can watch for the following to happen.

Welfare rolls for food stamps and aid to dependent children will balloon
Medicaid rolls will explode
Government housing rolls will explode.
Violent crime will escalate in response to critical shortages.

There will be more spent on these items than is being spent right now. And it is an unending cycle. Anyone who thinks this is a good idea, well, be prepared for astronomical tax hikes to the middle class. Expect more homeless legal Americans citizens. Those currently on these rolls will be pushed off over time and replaced by the "new illegal citizens".

Please understand me when I say I have no complaint with those who come to this country legally and make the effort to gain their citizenship. I do think we have a policy that is far to liberal because we can no longer support those who live here. But if you legally arrived on our shores, I respect your honesty and wish you the best in attaining your goal of becoming a citizen.

You should be aware that you will join the millions of American citizens who will pay for the expenses of the illegal immigrants.

Mothers' Day

Happy Mother's Day to the all the woman in this most nobel profession. I hope you all have the a day filled with happiness with those who appreciate all your sacrifices.

I'll try and write more later. I have my aunt, uncle and youngest sister visiting this weekend and so I have been busy visiting.

Mirrors

I don't usually post directly to this blog. It is basically a mirror of my Multiply blog and serves as an emergency backup in case of something failing. So sometimes, things I say about people on my list in this blog are actually contacts on that blog.

Multiply has the capacity to allow you to post to a Multiply blog and simultaneously post to Blogger. Multiply also allows cross posting to Wordpress and a few other blogging sites. It is a nice feature.

I have a Yahoo 360 blog but it is being phased out because Yahoo is no longer providing customer service to 360. There are glitches that result in lost posts, readers are unable to access a blog to read it or comment on it, comments are lost or post multiple times. Not sure how many are members of 360 but I know there are a lot fewer.

At any rate, if something is confusing in a post, more than likely, it is something that is on Multiply. There is a link to that site if you want to visit. I have a lot of other things on that site. Videos, photos, stories, essays, and a blog. Drop by and take a look.

Rain and the End of a Day

Rain has once again kept the day dark and gloomy. I have been miserable all day. I can barely talk, I am so hoarse. My cold is not as bad but I can't get the hoarseness to go away. And I am tired. I am going to bed early tonight. I have to get more sleep. It is just that there is so much to do and I don't ever seem to get a moment to relax except when I am online.

I saw that Ms. Clinton won Indiana and Mr. Obama won N. C. Not surprising in either instance. Indiana was a Clinton state when Bill ran. I don't think that with the current crop of candidates that it will be a win for the nation, no mater which one is elected.

We, as a nation, are reaching critical mass economically, morally, and socially. We have opened too many doors, spent too much money on worthless causes, ungrateful countries, and enemies and we've failed to invest in the country and our own people. My opinion is that it is too late. An injured body can bleed only so long before it lapses into a coma. We're there. If it continues to bleed, the body dies. Someone should pick the flowers. Our enemies will rejoice. Our leches will mourn but they'll also starve to death because they can't make it on their own. Our friends abandoned us long ago so they could hedge their bets.

Frankly, I don't think we ever had many friends. A friend with their hand is out is no friend at all. The most common emotion toward America is jealousy and resentment. No nation should be allow to be so successful, so wealthy, so self sufficient. Makes people mad. And we're arrogant about it too. Well, if you have it, you have it and if you don't you hate those who do. We've been generous to the needy and to the jerks.. A lot of people fought and died to insure this nation and secure it for us citizens. And we've blown it in less than 100 years.

Now, wasn't that a very negative message? So, I've not optimistic.

Ok, I think that is dark enough for today.

A Day Off

As you can see from my welcome box, I am listed on the Million Blog List. You should check it out and list your blog. It is a Wiki to see how long it will take to list a milliion blogs. Interesing, if nothing else.

I have spent the entire day working in the yard and cleaning house. I have company coming this weekend for my sister's graduation from college. I had my son's mother-in-law come and clean the house for me while I did other things. My house is sooooo clean. The woman is absolutely amazing with a few cleaning items! Everything smells clean!

Becca cut the lawn and I played with Sarah, did laundry and cleaned the study - my personal sanctuary. I put away my winter clothes and have several things still to do but it will have to be done when I come in from work the rest of this week.

My car is on the fritz so I'm stranded at the moment. Not sure what is happening. I hope to have it fixed tomorrow.

My cold is better but Mike now has it and Sarah is still recovering. I am still hoarse and cough a bit but much better than I was a day or so ago. Nasty bug this one.

It is late and I am dog tired. I hurt all over and am dreading getting up in the morning. I never know how it will affect me! Will I have minimal pain? Will I be in unbearable pain? Will I be bad but get better or will I be good and get worse? Makes my head hurt juist thinking about it.

But my house is so clean!

Praise Break

I went to church last night and it was a wonderful service. Amazing how refreshed you feel after you have bathed in a pool of worship. The visiting missionary was Bro & Sis. Turner ( I can't remember their first names). They are on their way back to Ireland. His message was Take a Praise Break. He said the studies revealed that employees who are given two coffee breaks a day, actually produce more. He said next time, take a praise break!

He also said something profound that I never thought of before. In answer to the question, Why would God want us to worship him? He said that only an inferior being can give worship. God can't worship himself so he created humans. We, our souls, worship God because the soul is aware of his majesty.

In light of that, the Rev. Oprah's new religion makes sense for those seeking to hide their evil deeds by eliminating God. It demotes God and removes his majesty. When a soul is corrupt, it looks for a place to hide from the eye of God. This new fad makes man the deity and removes the need to worship anyone but self. It convinces the human heart (seat of evil) that the all seeing eye is now closed. Sin is gone because there is no one to judge it. And since there is no sin in this religion, absolutely nothing you do is wrong. You can be a child molester and you're just fine? Wonder how she is going to reconcile all the evil in the world? Because if you don't have a judge and there is no law there is NO WRONG DOING. Yeah, that sounds like a place I want to live and have my granddaughter grow up in! NOT. Incidentally, this is not a religion, folks. Religion is based on the concept of a deity. This is based on self-actualization. It is not a religion. It is a club. I gotta wonder what the eternal perks are.

Well, I'm taking my praise break now. Glory and honor and power be to the most high God. No weapon formed against Him shall prosper. Bless the Lord and let His name be known to the far corners of the world. May all who hear His name desire to seek His face.

King David always says it better than me:

Psalms 18
31 For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
46 The LORD lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Psalms 63
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Psalms 86
8 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works.
9 All nations whom You have made
Shall come and worship before You, O Lord,
And shall glorify Your name.
10 For You are great, and do wondrous things;
You alone are God.

Break's over. Amen

Week End!

It has been a busy week and actually, a fairly good one. The weather had been nice and I've been relatively pain free. Work was very busy and hectic all week and I came home tired most night but there is no rest for the weary. I had company nearly ever evening until nearly 10. Last night was the first night this week I could call my own. I ate supper and read a bit but I still was midnight getting to bed. Just can't seem to break that cycle.

Tonight, I am hoping for a repeat!

Alice emailed me wondering where I was and saying she was suffering withdrawal because I had not posted anything lately. I tell you, I've just been so tired I couldn't think of anything at all. This post is apt to be so boring you'll fall asleep in about 10 words.

It has rained all day here and I suspect that means that the yard work for tomorrow is a no go. I still have a couple of hedges to clear and the grass will need another mowing. But with all this wet, it will be impossible. Typical.

I am going to try and finish a chapter of Mist, Alice. I began working on it this week, actually. I know you have missed it. I seem to have fallen into a slump for several months now and it has been difficult to break out. But I am putting an extra effort into it.

Well, the pizza has arrived and I am going to pop it in the oven. Store bought, not delivery. I'll be back later, I am sure.